Government plans to reform apprenticeships

Recently the government has announced a number of new changes that will affect how employers use apprenticeships in the future.

Skills England

Skills England is a new arms-length body that will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the future. The new function will absorb the current Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Education Skills and Funding Agency by April 2025 to be a fully formed part of the Department for Education.

It has published its first report for the skills system to identify the relevant skills needs for jobs and skills across industries, with a focus on the health and social care sector, to determine which types of training will be eligible for expansion.

Apprenticeship levy

It has been announced that a new growth and skills levy will replace the existing apprenticeship levy. These reforms will allow for greater flexibility, allowing funding for shorter apprenticeships and new foundation apprenticeships to encourage young people routes into careers. However, employers will be asked to rebalance their funding to allow some of this to happen.

The training eligible for funding under the new levy will develop over time and be informed by Skills England’s priorities. More information will be set out by Department for Education in due course.

We will continue to update on the relevant changes and implementation plans, in the meantime contact us with any questions or concerns.